An iPod can be easily connected to your stereo system.
iPod
The MP3 player has revolutionised music on the move, and the iPod (the Apple version of the MP3 player) has matured into the ideal source of music for use on boats. No matter how old your current on-board stereo system is, you can always find a cheap gadget that will let you connect to your iPod.
An important advantage of using an iPod on board is that it removes the problem of CD skip in rough conditions, to which the iPod is immune. The one small drawback with this sort of player is that music can only be transferred to the iPod via a computer. However, nowadays the majority of people regularly use computers on board, so this should not be too much of a problem.
iPod options
Many boats are still equipped with cassette decks and these will play iPod music perfectly well. All that is needed is a good quality cassette adapter. Plug it into the cassette slot, press play on the cassette deck and enjoy hours of non-stop music.
Modern car stereos are designed with the iPod in mind and most now have a USB input that allows the iPod to be controlled and charged from the radio while showing track details on the display. Once the appropriate iPod holder is mounted, plug in and enjoy the music!
An alternative, much cheaper option is an adapter such as the Dension ice-Link, which is particularly suitable for boat use as it connects to the radio via the antenna socket. It is therefore compatible with all car radio stereos, no matter how old, and although it uses a modulated signal, it is totally legal as the signal is via cable rather than airborne.
An iPod can be easily connected to your stereo system.
A simple cassette adapter for playing the iPod through a cassette stereo.
A modern stereo with iPod input.
The Dension adapter plugs into the aerial socket, allowing the iPod to play through any stereo, no matter how old it is.
Fusion marine stereo with built-in iPod dock.
The easiest gadgets for playing the iPod through the stereo need no installation at all. Simply plug in these dedicated wireless short-range FM transmitters into the base of the iPod, select a frequency on both the transmitter and the stereo, and the music is then transmitted from the iPod to the stereo.
Specific marine stereos with built-in iPod docks are now available and are particularly popular with owners of big RIBs as, being waterproof, they are designed for open cockpit installation. One model from Fusion allows iPod control from the radio and shows music details from the iPod on the display. Being a dedicated marine stereo Fusion offers several accessories to enhance sound quality such as standalone woofers and tweeters.
More sophisticated options
For owners of larger luxury vessels wanting something rather more sophisticated than a built-in stereo, they may opt for something like the brilliant Bose Acoustic Wave stereo with iPod dock. The Apple iPod dock is a simple method of connecting the iPod to stereos with standard input jack sockets, whether it is top of the range Bose or something more modest. This dock also comes with a small white remote control, which provides iPod control from the comfort of your helm seat.
Top-of-the-range Bose stereo with iPod dock and remote control.